The Whistle That Gathers The Elect!

As we enter Zechariah 10 we become fully aware that the Messianic rule has not yet come for the people of God (10: 1– 2).  The prophet starts with a clear rebuke to the current leadership and a promise of a new leader.   Under the new improved leadership (10: 3b) there will be a change in the community (10: 3b– 5) as exiles return (10: 6– 12).  In the opening verses (“Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone. The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.” (Zechariah 10:1–2, NIV)) there is a veiled rebuke also to those who fail to turn to God but rather have turned to Baal who is thought to be the god who controls the weather and rain.  Even though there is a prophecy of a Messianic kingdom, God's people are called to pray for rain. This is an important lesson that prophecy ought to fuel our prayers and not render them unnecessary.

"Spiritually, the cause of the Babylonian captivity was idol worship in Israel (cf. 2 Kin. 17:6–23). The “shepherds” and the “goatherds” both symbolize the civil rulers of the nations who persecuted Israel (cf. Ezek. 34)." [1] The metaphor changes and through this new leader the flock becomes an invincible army.  Of this new leader it is said “From Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler. Together they will be like warriors in battle trampling their enemy into the mud of the streets. They will fight because the Lord is with them, and they will put the enemy horsemen to shame.” (Zechariah 10:4–5, NIV).  "In verse 4 a series of staccato bursts reveals God’s provision for his people. The Hebrew text simply reads:

• From him, the corner; 
• From him, the peg; 
• From him, the battle bow; 
• From him, going forth, every ruler together. 

As with the final line of 10: 3, so here the antecedent of “him” is most likely the Lord Almighty." [2] Some think these describe the new leaders in Judah, but this is probably another Messianic prophecy of our Lord.  This is "another reference to the Messiah (cf. 9:13; Rev. 19:11–16), under whose authority every ruler will be sanctioned.' [3]

In verses 6-12, The final regathering prior to the establishment of the messianic kingdom is in view. What is remarkable in this description is found in verse 6: ““I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.” The tribes of Joseph are clearly the northern tribes. "This restoration will extend beyond Judah to include the house of Joseph, the northern kingdom, which was scattered by the Assyrians in 722 B.C." [4]  Because these so-called lost tribes of Israel are mentioned here we now become certain as to the time frame of this restoration.  There are clear signals in the New Testament that the regathering of all Israel is fulfilled in the Church (Acts 26:7).  Jesus claims that the apostles will rule with him on thrones over the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19: 28; Luke 22 :30). It is not odd, then, for the writer of James to address the churches who received his document as the “twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (James 1: 1). In Revelation 21: 12– 14 the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are written on the gates of the holy city, the new Jerusalem. [see 5].

Not only that, this restoration will be perfect. ““I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.” (Zechariah 10:6, NIV). "The restoration from exile prefigures final salvation and life in Christ (John 6:35; 14:6)." [6]  "This will be the realization of the New Covenant (cf. Jer 31:31–34)." [7]

One final thought on this chapter.  This restoration occurs by the simple and effectual whistle of God. ““I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them . . ..” (Zechariah 10:8a, ESV). God's effectual call will go out and His Elect will come.  “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37, NIV).

Even so come Lord Jesus.  We know Your plans but we do not know the day or the hour.  So we pray, Send the rain, Father.  Send the rain.  Bring refreshment to Your Church.  Come in the power of the Word dressed in white sitting upon a white steed.  Come and bring justice and righteousness to this thirsty land.  Rend the heavens and restore Your people.  Gather Your Elect from every nation and every tribe and tongue.  Fill Your Church, the true Twelve Tribes of Israel with Your glory.  By Your Spirit cause us to lift up our heads and await the salvation of the Lord.  Praise God!

 

 

 

 

 

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1.  Believer’s Study Bible. 1991 (W. A. Criswell, P. Patterson, E. R. Clendenen, D. L. Akin, M. Chamberlin, D. K. Patterson & J. Pogue, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (Zec 10:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
2. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 8675-8680). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
3. The MacArthur Study Bible. 1997 (J. MacArthur, Jr., Ed.) (electronic ed.) (1351). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.
4. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (1764). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
5. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 8848-8863). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
6. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (1764). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
7. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (1829). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Peace, Prosperity and Plenty!

The People Return to the Kingdom

Zechariah 9 has furnished us with hope of the returning king to Jerusalem. He sweeps with might and power bring judgment on all the opposing nations. We have discussed this in two previous Blogs: HERE and HERE. The final exposition of the chapter is in verses 11-17.  With verse 11 (“As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.” (Zechariah 9:11, NIV), the Lord signals a new section.  With the security of Israel within and without and having established a reign, it is not time for the return of the people.

God promises to set the captives free and restore them upon the basis of “...the blood of my covenant with you . . .” (Zechariah 9:11, NIV). Some think that this is the Covenant that God made with Moses. "The "blood of my covenant with you" probably has in view the Mosaic covenant (Exod 24:3-8)." [1]  Also see Note 2. Others appeal to the Abrahamic Covenant ("The nation Israel is addressed and promised by the blood of thy covenant (i.e., the Abrahamic covenant which was an unconditional covenant which was ratified by blood sacrifice, hence, the most binding of covenants—cf. Gen 15:9–18) that thy prisoners (i.e., Israelites still remaining in Babylon) will be sent forth … out of the pit wherein is no water." [3]).  In either case, God is bringing His people back, not based upon merit, but by the grace within the promise, sealed with blood, granting them a full and complete restoration.

The assured victory is stated in a "bold metaphor" as God compares Himself to a warrior using Judah and Ephraim as His weapons. [1]  "Protected by God, the people gain victory, not with the sophisticated weapons that have been removed from the kingdom (Zech. 9: 10) but with the lowly sling, an allusion to David’s victory over Goliath (1 Sam. 17: 40, 50). The latter half of Zech. 9: 15 describes the victory in battle through images drawn from drinking and sacrifice." [4]

With the victory comes great blessing: prosperity, peace, and fullness of provisions. "Partial fulfillment of this prediction came as the Maccabees successfully won their independence from Greece in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes (175–163 B.C.). But again, the fullest meaning of the passage looks forward to the messianic reign (Rev. 20:1–6)." [5]  "God’s people rest secure as sheep under His care (13:7; Ezek. 34:11–24; 37:24), and will become glorious as a result of God’s presence (2 Cor. 3:18). [6]

In the midst of this highly graphic and hopeful passage we observe that “The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.” (Zechariah 9:16, NIV).

The Gospel writers clearly saw the fulfillment of Zechariah 9 commencing and continuing through the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem.  Through the suffering Servant, He was installed as the reigning King over His people -- not just believing Jews, but from all nations. The New Testament is not vague about this Divinely Royal King who vanquishes His foes and is the faithful Davidic son who unites and secures His people under His gracious reign.

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” (Ephesians 2:13–16, NIV)

Father in this day of terror, traumas, torture, we look forward to the day of peace, prosperity and plenty.  I am thankful for the Gospel that teaches us that this Day has already come, but yet it is still to come. On that Day Christ came and marched into Jerusalem, He said, "I am Your King."  His rule has never been abrogated.  His decree has never been repealed.  Reign today in our hearts and lives, Father.   Bring Your people from the Nations to the New Jerusalem, Your Church, Your Bride. Deliver death blows to the enemies crouched at Your feet.  Come Lord Jesus, come.  I thank you today for the Cross that does what no other device of terror could do -- bring reconciliation with God and with people.  Come, Lord Jesus, come.  Amen.

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1. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Zechariah/Exposition of Zechariah/V. Two Prophetic Oracles: The Great Messianic Future and the Full Realization of the Theocracy (9:1-14:21)/A. The First Oracle: The Advent and Rejection of the Messiah (9:1-11:17)/1. The advent of the messianic King (9:1-10:12)/c. The deliverance and blessing of Zion's people (9:11-10:1), Book Version: 4.0.2

2. "This combination of “ blood” and “covenant” constitutes an allusion to Exodus 24: 8, which describes the ceremony in which, after the reading of the Book of the Law and the acceptance of the commandments by the congregation, blood was sprinkled on the people to ratify the covenant between God and his people. 41 On the basis of this ancient covenant agreement, God promises salvation for his exiled people."-  Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 8253-8257). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

3. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (1825–1826). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

4. Boda, Mark J. (2009-05-26). Haggai, Zechariah (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 8300-8303). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

5. Believer’s Study Bible. 1991 (W. A. Criswell, P. Patterson, E. R. Clendenen, D. L. Akin, M. Chamberlin, D. K. Patterson & J. Pogue, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (Zec 9:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

6. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Zec 9:16). Nashville: T. Nelson.